Jaguars hire James Gladstone from Rams as new GM

Following a wild start to their offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars have seemingly found some stability. They are hiring Los Angeles Rams director of scouting strategy James Gladstone as their new general manager, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Fans desperately hope that this move can revive the Jags and help them return to the promising trajectory they appeared to embark on a couple of years ago. Gladstone will be tasked with quickly building a competitive roster around pricey quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan did not look too sure of himself earlier in the winter, opting to retain former GM Trent Baalke only to fire him deep into a chaotic head coaching search. He appears more decisive in his recent actions, however. Less than three weeks after naming franchise legend Tony Boselli as new executive vice president of football operations, Khan is bringing in someone who worked in a Super Bowl-winning front office.

Are the pieces falling into place? The billionaire businessman believes so.

“James emerged as my choice, and our choice, following a painstaking but energizing interview process that left nothing to doubt,” Khan said in an official statement, per Pelissero. “In the end, we found James to be a class ahead and exceptional in every regard – vision, new ideas, communication, chemistry and a keen understanding of the league and our team, to name a few of many virtues he will immediately bring to the Jaguars.”

“It's going to be fun watching James work with our football leadership team of {head coach} Liam Coen, Tony Boselli and {chief football strategy officer} Tony Khan, but most of all it will be rewarding,” he continued. “I am confident of that.”

Can the Jaguars' new regime get the franchise where it needs to go?

Shad Khan also thanked fans for their ongoing “support and faith.” If all goes according to his plan, their patience will soon be rewarded. Choosing the right front office is a critical component of that blueprint, however.

James Gladstone spent the last few seasons as the Rams' director of scouting strategy and was with the organization for nine years overall. He was a valued member of the front office and helped GM Les Snead assemble a young crop of talent that includes wide receiver Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams and defensive end Kobie Turner.

Gladstone also worked with new Jacksonville HC Liam Coen during the 2022-23 campaign, which should ideally make the transition to Duval County a little smoother. Coen initially declined a second interview with the team and appeared set to sign a new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he accepted the Jaguars job following Baalke's firing.

The optics are not pretty, especially now that Coen is reuniting with Gladstone. But fans will forget how messy this entire process was if the franchise can soar into prominence in the near future.